Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Looking appropriate
• Part 2 of 3: Listen to the music
• Part 3 of 3: Behaving "grunge"

The word "grunge" is associated with an American style of music from the late 1980s. The word "grunge" was first used in a press release for the band Green River: "gritty vocals, roaring Marshall amps, ultra-loose GRUNGE that destroyed the morals of a generation." The style, music and attitude characterized a generation whose influence can still be seen today. If you want to be part of this subculture, below are some tips to get you started in the right way.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Looking appropriate

1. Wear flannel and work shoes. There is nothing more reminiscent of the grunge look than a lumberjack shirt and a pair of work boots. These are usually available for a few euros at second-hand shops. The shirts are suitable for both men and women to quickly achieve a grunge look. Other unisex pieces that fit well into your grunge wardrobe include old leather or denim jackets, band shirts, long shorts and old oversized cardigans.
   • Maxi skirts, dresses, and leggings with an old or fun pattern are also a smart investment for girls.
2. Shop at the thrift store. Look for clothes that are especially comfortable and practical rather than clothes that are fashionable. People who label themselves as grunge value thrift and ease of use more than fashion. Anything second-hand is more suitable and desirable anyway.
3. Embrace contradictions. A well-known grunge look for women is a used "babydoll" dress combined with large, black work shoes. If you like skirts with a floral print, wear them with a leather jacket. The most famous grunge look for men consists of long, slightly feminine hair, with an old flannel shirt, jeans and boots. If you have brightly colored shorts that you like to wear, pair them with a wool blazer and work boots.
   • Any item of clothing that looks a bit grubby or used can be part of your wardrobe. It is more about conveying a certain kind of worldview and beauty ideal than about a specific brand or a specific clothing style.
   • Accessorize. Wearing sunglasses or long socks is a recurring phenomenon in the grunge look. Buy buttons from your favorite band and decorate your jacket or backpack with them. Furthermore, wear inexpensive jewelry and dated snap bracelets.
4. Don't spend too much time on your hair. Messy and greasy hair are typical business cards for the grunge look. As a man you immediately radiate grunge if you have unkempt facial hair and long dark hair. As a woman, you may want to consider dyeing part of your hair pink, blue, or purple. Furthermore, don't pay too much attention to "perfect" your hair. Twist it into a bun, put it in a ponytail or let it go. It doesn't matter if it is fluffy or dry.
5. Mix your make-up naturally and daringly. A little makeup can complement your grunge look, but you generally don't want to spend too much makeup or too much time on your makeup. For example, try to use only red lipstick and nothing else. Or apply dark makeup around your eyes, leaving your lips natural.

Part 2 of 3: Listen to the music

1. Investigate. Grunge was invented by Nirvana in Seattle, right? Well, not quite. Kurt Cobain and co. put grunge on the international map. That's for sure. But the genre itself is usually more strongly associated with all kinds of bands that were signed to the SubPop label from Seattle. The origin of the music style can be found in the early metal of Black Sabbath from England, and the loose punk rock of Scientists from Australia.
   • SubPops flagship was Mudhoney, not Nirvana. Mudhoney originated from the aforementioned Green River and is still active today. Plus, they still make great music.
2. Cobain and Krist Novoselic, the founders of Nirvana, are both from Aberdeen, Washington and lived elsewhere when they achieved international acclaim with their best-known album "Nevermind". Dave Grohl, who didn't play on Nirvana's first album, is from Washington, D.C.
3. Grunge music is recognizable for its free structure, its extremely loud, overdriven guitar sounds, and its growling, aggressive vocals. Because of all this a deep melodic undertone can be heard. Cobain loved The Beatles, Johnny Cash, and Abba, as well as more contemporary groups like R.E.M. The interaction between hard and quiet, ugly and beautiful, noise and melody is central to the grunge.
   • Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are often cited as influences on grunge. Less often mentioned is the guitar playing between Neil Young and his backing band Crazy Horse. In addition, hardcore punk bands such as Black Flag and Minor Threat were also of great influence.
4. Familiarize yourself with the essential albums and bands. The quintessential masterpieces of grunge, and probably the best place to start, are Nirvana's three studio albums ("Bleach", "Nevermind", and "In Utero"). Follow up these albums with Soundgarden's "Badmotorfinger" and "Superunknown" and Pearl Jam's "Ten" and "Vs." Then continue with Mudhoney's "Superfuzz Bigmuff" and "Dirt" by Alice in Chains.
5. Listen to the albums and choose your favorite yourself. Big grunge fans will probably not immediately agree with what you consider to be your favorites. Some might even say that Bikini Kill's impossible-to-get first EP is the only album worth checking out. That's okay. Listen to the aforementioned records and decide for yourself what you like and what you don't like.
   • Dive deeper into it. If you've had all the "mainstream" hits, check out other record labels like Kill Rock Stars. Other bands such as The Melvins have a somewhat more challenging repertoire and have never gotten the attention of the general public, whereas Nirvana and Pearl Jam for example did. Find out what music the members of your favorite bands like to listen to. Find out who their favorite grunge artists are and who influenced them.
   • Dead Moon, Tad, Love Battery, Screaming Trees, The Afghan Whigs, Hole, Babes in Toyland, L7, and Mother Love Bone are bands that are definitely worth checking out.

Part 3 of 3: Behaving "grunge"

1. Protest against the mainstream by not participating. The clothing and music that we associate with grunge culture were outward displays of frustration and apathy towards contemporary culture. The social bias and growing wealth inequality that the 1980s brought with them caused some members of "Generation X" to reject the 9-to-5 mindset and seek alternative lifestyles there.
   • Organic farming and sustainability grew in popularity during the 1990s. This is, in part, due to the rejection of traditional career choices and lifestyles by members of the grunge subculture.
2. Learn to appreciate unpopular things. Grunge pupils learn to appreciate culture, music, and art that are usually not so loved by the masses. For you, manifesting a grunge image entirely without flannel shirts, combat boots and a fondness for Mudhoney could be possible. The grunge philosophy is much more important than any particular type of clothing or values.
   • Make your hobby your life. The grunge culture is strongly linked to a predilection for the do-it-yourself mentality: you don't need a theater to give a performance, a cellar is enough. You don't necessarily have to read EAR, you should read the self-printed sheet that your friend made. You don't have to work in a place where your dental costs are reimbursed, you can take a part-time job in a restaurant and earn some extra money at the flea market. Make sure your band has enough time to rehearse.
3. The traditional idea of ​​studying, working, and retiring is usually not taken so seriously by grunge followers.
   • Move to the big city. What people today associate with grunge is largely the result of young people from small villages and towns who have moved to the city. Here they lived in neighborhoods where rents were as low as possible, yet they set up an international movement. Consider moving to the city and taking advantage of the amenities there. Do this if you are old enough for it.